I'd like to propose a rather intensive mega challenge between the top power conferences of Knight D2. This would involve what I think are currently the top 8 conferences in Knight D2: Heartland, Cal CAA, Southern, Central, Great NW, Lone Star, North American, and GLIAC. [EDIT - I now believe the best format now would be a 5 game commitment with 6 participating conferences. If there are more conferences eligible and interested I'd like to see them get to move up and the last place finisher move out each season. If there are more than one interested conferences maybe they could play a mini challenge themselves with the winner getting the relegation spot...] The format derives from a number of various conference challenges I've taken part in and/or managed over the years.

Participation would require a commitment of 7 games of your non-conference schedule. I'm thinking that each conference will send 6 teams since some of these conferences only have 7 or 8 humans right now. I'll use the same seeding method I currently use in the Heartland - CCAA Challenge. The conference records of each team are averaged for the last 2 seasons and the teams are seeded 1-12. Each seed will play their corresponding seed from each other conference. If this results in a repeat of a match-up from last season I will slide teams up or down 1 seed when possible to avoid repeats. Home/Away can either be determined on alternating conference basis or I can simply set them as I do now game by game trying to avoid imbalances while also keeping it even between the conferences and seeds (for example I try to avoid having all the top seeds get home while all the bottom get away, etc)

I'll do all the maintenance, coaches just have to sign-up here and schedule games when prompted.

The winning conference will be determined by adding up the wins and losses for all teams in the conference, with the best overall W/L total the champion. In the case of any ties we will then use total margin of victory.

To make things really interesting, I'd love to have every coach that participates donate a $5 WiS gift certificate for entry. The 6 coaches in the winning conference would then get to split the total pot ($40 each). If a coach pays in and does not return to the school he registered with the next season that $5 stays in the pot. If one of the winning coaches happens to have just taken over (and therefore did not pay in) he gets lucky and still gets his share. Simple money rules - all in, then all out... [EDIT - Looks like most people would rather forgo the cash prize aspect and just play, which is cool with me - it was just a suggestion after all - so I believe that the cash prize angle is out]

In order to make this happen, we will target scheduling next season (63) for games to take place season 64. (We are currently in season 62.)

If you are interested please indicate so by posting below (please post your school and conference in your post). Posting an interest is not a binding agreement to ante up

The following have indicated interest, but are not currently coaching in Knight D2. They might be willing to join a participating (or on the cusp of eligible to particpate) conference.
pepwaves - retired
aejones - D III
piratehoops - retired

you guys were right on the cusp - I went back and forth between you guys and the Southern (since they only have 6 humans) but the tiebreaker was that recent thread on the main forum where everyone was pimping their D2 conference to someone and no one from the Rocky Mtn piped up while the Southern was represented. Arbitrary? Sure...but line had to be drawn somewhere

you guys were right on the cusp - I went back and forth between you guys and the Southern (since they only have 6 humans) but the tiebreaker was that recent thread on the main forum where everyone was pimping their D2 conference to someone and no one from the Rocky Mtn piped up while the Southern was represented. Arbitrary? Sure...but line had to be drawn somewhere